Brivudin is anti-viral nucleoside drug, more potent of aciclovir and penciclovir against herpes viruses, like varicella-zoster herpes virus (VZV) and herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1).

Brivudin, as the oral formulation, showed in controlled clinical studies to be more potent and effective than aciclovir for the treatment of herpes zoster infection, and it is currently approved in this indication, in several European countries.

Moreover, oral brivudin proved to be superior to aciclovir in preventing post-herpetic neuralgia, the serious late complication of herpes zoster infection.

Menarini is now studying a ophthalmic formulation (eye drops) of brivudin, to be used for the therapy of herpetic keratitis. Herpetic keratitis is one of the most frequent causes of severe ocular lesions in developed countries.
VZV infection of the cornea and the uvea can occur in the course of ophthalmic herpes zoster (in the US up to 10% of all herpes zoster outbreaks). If untreated, ocular HSV-1 or VZV infection can lead to inflammation, ulcers/scarring, impaired vision and even blindness.

Aim of the research is to obtain an eye-drop preparation endowed of longer lasting efficacy and better tolerability than the limited therapeutic options available nowadays.

The first Phase I clinical trial of eye-drop brivudin is planned to start in 4Q2007.